LAS CRUCES – New Mexico State will wait to hear back from the NCAA regarding its appeal on Johnathon Wilkins’ academic eligibility.

NMSU announced on Friday night prior to tipoff of its season opener that Wilkins is out due to an administrative error concerning his academic eligibility. The NCAA has ruled Wilkins has not met course requirements to remain academically eligibility. NMSU coach Marvin Menzies said after Friday's win over Houston Baptist that Wilkins was misadvised on course selection for the summer.

“We have individuals who’s job it is to make sure that the courses that the student-athletes are taking are degree applicable and that X amount of their hours are counting towards progress to a degree,” Moccia told the Sun-News on Saturday. “So, after every year, you have to be X amount along in your course work of countable courses. Obviously, not all courses count. This individual, who is the primary advisor, being in athletics, this person does not work for athletics any longer. The course Johnathon was told to take was not degree applicable.”

After the misadvisement, Moccia said that Wilkins didn't have enough degree applicable credits.

Each student needs to complete 40 percent towards their degree after two years. Wilkins is a redshirt sophomore this season. Students have to complete 60 percent towards a degree after three years and 80 percent after four years with the expectation to graduate in five years.

An NCAA appeal takes about seven to 10 days and NMSU could hear back at the end of this week or early next week. However, Wilkins cannot play while the appeal process is on-going. Wilkins can still practice with the Aggies.

If the NCAA denies NMSU’s appeal, Wilkins will not be eligible before the Wyoming game on Dec. 13, which is the first game after fall semester finals.

“This could have been very easily eliminated,” Moccia said. “This is none of Johnthon’s fault, because it could have very easily been said this course doesn’t count, this course does count. That’s pretty simple stuff. Unfortunately, that was not done in this case. The fault lies with the administration versus the student-athlete.”

Mark Rudi can be reached at 575-541-5455 or at mrudi@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @mrudi19.